RAMS SURRENDER EIGHT RUNS IN BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH IN 12-5 LOSS TO HOFSTRA

Mar 18, 2012

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The VCU Baseball team dropped a 12-5 decision to host Hofstra on Sunday at University Field.

Hofrstra improves 8-9 overall and 4-2 in CAA play, while the Rams drop to 11-9 overall and 2-4 in CAA play.

"It was a good game and I thought Kyle Pelchy pitched extremely well early," said VCU head coach Paul Keyes. "We got in a situation where we didn't execute and cost ourselves several runs that would have allowed us to space out the game. I thought we swung the bat well and it's a shame the game ended the way it did."

The Rams recorded the game's first run in the top of the third inning, kicked off by a double down the left field line by sophomore outfielder Bill Cullen. The Colonial Heights, Va., native advanced to third on a groundout, before scoring on a single through the right side by sophomore infielder Joey Cujas.

Hofstra struck back with a run of its own in the bottom of the fourth to knot the score at 1-1.

Redshirt junior Taylor Buran handed VCU a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning, hitting a solo home run over the wall in left field, his first home run of the 2012 campaign.

The Pride would score the next three runs, before VCU came back with three of its own in the top of the eighth to take a 5-4 lead. Buran got things going with a one-out single to center, before senior outfielder Paul Nice roped a double off the wall in left center. Cullen followed that up with a double down the third base line, which allowed Buran and Nice to score. Sophomore infielder Jordan Weymouth drew a walk to put runners on first and second, before Cujas loaded the bases with a single to right field. Senior catcher Taylor Perkins' patience at the plate paid off, as he earned a five-pitch walk, bringing in

VCU would surrender the lead in the bottom of the frame, as Hofstra created eight runs in the bottom of the eighth to bring the score to its final at 12-5.

An incident occured at the start of the top of the ninth inning, that led to the ejection of several players from both teams.

VCU will square off with cross town rival University of Richmond this Wednesday at 3 p.m. The game is scheduled to take place at Richmond's Pitt Field.

"It's a city rivalry game and we will be depleted three players and a coach," added Keyes. "We will need the guys to play hard, smart and full of energy so that we are ready to roll on Wednesday."